The Forrest Caves beach stairway is now closed as upgrades resume after the busy summer period.

Access to the beach remains available for beachgoers via the nearby Bruce Avenue access track.

Phillip Island Nature Parks and local contractors are upgrading the main beach access stairs following previous strengthening work undertaken due to erosion.

Nature Parks General Manager Infrastructure and Planning, Jarvis Weston, said the closure was necessary to allow for stage 2 works which include demolition of the northern stairway ahead of construction.

It is expected to take between six and eight weeks, possibly through the April school holidays.

An aerial delivery of building materials by helicopter is planned for February 27.

"We are carefully planning for an aerial delivery of new material and the removal of demolished material from the existing northern stairway on the same day to minimise any impact on the environment," Mr Weston said.

"This approach ensures the sensitivities of the dune site are maintained and work can be conducted safely and efficiently.

"Importantly, our construction timeline means there will be limited work undertaken through the short-tailed shearwater fledgling period, which usually starts in late April when they commence their migration north," Mr Weston said.

The third stage of the project to the southern stairway is due to start in mid-May. A second helicopter lift has been scheduled after the shearwaters depart.

Nature Parks urges all visitors to the island to download the Surf Life Saving Beachsafe app and access important information available on the Life Saving Victoria website and throughout the Visitor Information Centres.

Warning: swimming is not advised at Forrest Caves or Forrest Caves (Bruce Avenue), see penguins.org.au/visit/safety for more information. 

For current project updates visit: penguins.org.au/about/our-community/projects-and-maintenance/